Between the lines (Spinoff)

Intro/Chapter 1: Flash Back

If you can't tell, this is where I started... really noticing him. Not just noticing him like I did before, but feeling it—feeling it in a way that made my chest tighten and my stomach flip every time he laughed or leaned into someone just a little too casually. I won't lie—maybe it started earlier, but this is where it really hit me. Where I realized I... liked him.

Fast forward a year—sophomore me, fifteen, awkward as ever, trailing behind Theo like a little puppy at one of his friend's parties. Theo was a senior by now, the center of attention as usual. He moved through the crowd with that easy confidence of his, chatting with girls, teasing, laughing. The guys were all there too—Leo, Jude, Aaron—everyone was laughing, joking, just having a good time. And me? I was... following him around, pretending to be cool, but mostly just watching.

Theo noticed, of course. I think he liked it—or maybe he just liked the control of knowing I was right there. Either way, he didn't mind me shadowing him, even when a few guys wandered over, trying to flirt with him, thinking they were slick. Theo just smiled at them, polite but sharp, and I felt my chest squeeze a little.

Then someone offered me a drink. Just one of those little red solo cups floating around, like they were harmless. I stared at it, unsure, and before I could even think of how to respond, Theo was by my side.

"Cam. Don't." His voice was low, serious, but calm. "You're fifteen. You don't need that. It's not for you."

"It's just alcohol," I mumbled, shrugging, trying to sound nonchalant, but my hand shook slightly.

Theo didn't argue—he just leaned closer, his hand brushing against mine in a protective, steadying sort of way. "It doesn't matter. You're too young. And I promised your parents i'd watch over you, so no drinking."

I looked up at him, at the fire in his eyes, and felt something melt in my chest. He wasn't just looking out for me. He cared. He always cared. And yeah... I probably looked ridiculously relieved, standing there next to him like that.

"Fine," I said, voice quieter this time. "I won't."

And just like that, the rest of the party melted into background noise. Theo led me away, keeping an arm lightly around my shoulders, like I was the only person that mattered in the room.

————

Spoiler: I ended up drinking anyway.

I shouldn't have done it. I knew I shouldn't have, but I got separated from Theo for a minute—or maybe I let myself get separated. There was this guy there, trying to chat me up, and honestly... I just wanted someone to talk to. Someone to make me feel like I wasn't completely invisible. And then, well... the drink happened.

One drink turned into two, then three. I was dizzy, laughing too loudly, slurring a little, and... oh god, I knew it. I knew Theo would see.

And sure enough, there he was. Standing across the room like some kind of angel-sheriff hybrid, sober as a board, scanning the crowd. His eyes landed on me, and I panicked. My chest tightened, my stomach twisted, and I had this urgent need to hide—like somehow, if he didn't see me, everything would be fine.

I ducked behind the couch, tried to act casual, but apparently I'm terrible at acting casual when I'm hammered. My legs wobbled. My hands shook. And I could feel his gaze burning into me even when I couldn't see it.

"Cam?"

His voice cut through the music and laughter like a knife. My heart jumped. I froze, eyes darting around for an escape.

"I—I'm fine!" I called back, my words coming out all wrong, too high-pitched, too fast. "Just... talking to... friends!"

Theo raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed, and started walking toward me. "Cam." His tone was calm, but it had that edge—the one that always made me stop and pay attention.